Chapter 13 - Unit 44
Police met us at the storage facility.
Tom stood near the open unit.
Inside were cardboard boxes, filing cabinets, and a small desk.
Someone had gone through everything.
Papers covered the floor.
One detective asked me, “Do you recognize any of this?”
“No.”
Tom picked up a folder with gloved hands.
My name was written across the tab.
SARAH — FINANCIAL.
My stomach turned.
Inside were copies of my driver's license, Social Security card, tax returns, and bank statements.
Enough to destroy me financially.
Another folder was labeled RACHEL.
Another: VANESSA.
Tom looked at me.
“He kept files on all of you.”
The detective opened a metal cash box.
Empty.
But beneath it was a ledger.
Payments.
Transfers.
Fake vendor names.
The detective's expression sharpened.
“This is useful.”
Tom crouched near the desk.
“Sarah.”
He held up a photograph.
Michael standing beside a man I didn't know.
On the back was written:
Final payment — Friday.
Friday was two days away.
The detective took the photo.
“Do you know him?”
I shook my head.
Tom did too.
Then my phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
I answered.
Michael's voice came through.
“Leave the storage unit.”
I looked around.
“How do you know where I am?”
“Just leave.”
“Who is the man in the photo?”
Silence.
“Michael?”
His voice dropped.
“You don't understand what you're walking into.”
“For once, explain it.”
“I can't.”
“Then I'm staying.”
He swore.
“Sarah, listen to me. The man in that photo isn't someone you call the police on.”
I looked at the detective five feet away.
“Too late.”
Michael inhaled sharply.
May you like
Then he said something that changed the entire case.
“He's the one I owe the money to.”
